Slider latch



Malch 11, 1969 A ALB RHNE ET AL 3,432,197 SLIDER LATCH Y Filed June 30, 1966 I N VE N TORS flaurll/Azazwmv:

United States Patent Ofitice ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A friction locking apparatus to retain a first member slidable axially with respect to a second member wherein the locking apparatus is movable along with the first member and operates against the second member through a resilient, non-metallic gripping surface.

This invention relates to ticularly to a latch which is coupled to one object and movable members, difliculties have been encountered in insuring that the latching action is easily and quickly operable,

channel, thereby preventing slider movement.

Uther objects and advantages of the instant invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the latch of this invention showing its association with a slider and track; and

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional side view of the latch assembly of FIG. 1.

In FIG. 1 there is shown the latch of this invention, channel 12 and slider 14 is composed of a low friction synthetic material such as nylon or polytetrafluoroethylene resin. However; other such materials could be employed as long as the slider 14 is easily movable within channel 12. Channel 12 has depending front flanges 16 and 18 which form a longitudinal opening 20 Within channel 12. Each slider 14 has a central boss 22 which is to extend between flanges 18 and 20. Boss 22 is square or 3,432,197 Patented Mar. 11, 1969 rectangularly shaped and of such dimensions that rotation of the slider 14 within the channel 12 is prevented.

Centrally attached to slider 14 and extending therefrom is the latching shaft 24. Shaft 24 is threaded 26 at one end to facilitate attachment to slider 14. Lock ring 28 is provided on shaft 24 and is so positioned as to act as a stop means at maximum engagement with slider 14. Any further insertion of shaft 24 will cause contaction between channel 12 and shaft 24 thereby hindering the sliding movement of slider 14. Concentrically mounted on shaft 24 is a rubber (or similar material) shock mount tion 40. First sections 32 and 38 are interfitting as also are second sections 34 and 40. Sleeve 36 includes a rectangular terminal portion 42. Friction pads 46 are attached to portion 44, a rubber or other resilient material being satisfactory. Pads 46 are positioned adjacent the channel flanges 16 and 18 and are adapted to be contactable therewith. A mounting sleeve 48 is concentrically disposed about sleeve 36, sleeve 48 having terminal annular flanges 50 and 52. Exteriorly attached to sleeve 48 in a concentric manner is the mounting plate 54 of the mounting bracket 56. Plate 54 is interfitted between annular flanges 50 and 52 of sleve 48. Mounting bracket 56 includes a mounting section 58 which is to aflix the latch to an object. Sleeve 48 and mounting plate 54 are held in position by washer 60 and lock ring 62. Lock ring '62 is operable within annular groove 64 located Within the first section 38 of sleeve 36.

Adjacent the first section 38 and 32 is a coil spring 65 which is disposed about shaft 24. Spring 65 abuts on sections 38 and 32 and a Washer 66 at its other end. A cam 68 is provided adjacent washer 66, cam 68 being pivotally attached by pivot pin 70 to shaft 24. Cam 68 includes a handle portion 72 and flat resting portions 74 and 76. Cam 68 is shown as being bifurcated, however, other forms of cam construction could be employed.

The operation of the latch of this invention is as follows: The channel 12 is fixed to a first object, the channel 12 functioning as a track or guide means for slider 14 movable therein. Usually, a plurality of sliders 14 are supported within a single length of channel 12. A single latch assembly of this invention is threadably attached to a single slider 14 through shaft 24. Each latch assembly is fixedly secured by means of mounting bracket 56 to a second object, the second object being a-djustably movable move into contact with channel flanges 16 and 18. Thereupon, compressive force is established between the latch assembly and the channel 12 to prevent movement therebetween. Sleeve 48 is composed of a resilient material, such as rubber or the like. The compressive force of the spring 65 must be of suflicient strength to compress flange 52 of sleeve 48 against mounting plate 54 to cause contact of pads 46 with the channel flanges 16 and 18. The resilient or bounce-back action of flange 52 upon movement of cam 68 to the unlatching position causes pads 46 to assume a position not in contact with flanges 16 and '18. Therefore, in the unlatched position pads 46 do not hinder the adjustment action.

The amount of compressive force exerted by pads 46 upon flanges 16 and 18 can be varied or easily adjusted. It is obvious that the force directly depends upon the compressibility factor of the spring 65, and the compressibility of the material of sleeve 48. Once these elements are provided the shaft 24 can be rotated to establish different amounts of initial spring compression. Thereby, in a simple manner, the holding force between pads 46 and flanges 16 and 18 can be varied. Shock mount 30 is provided to absorb sudden transverse movements which could affect the operation of the latch of which could damage portions of the latch.

As can be seen from the foregoing, a novel latch assembly is provided which is easily and quickly operable, establishing a positive and strong resistance and is simply adjustable as to the amount of the resistance. The specific example of the invention as herein shown and described will be understood as being for purposes of illustration only. Various changes in structure will no doubt occur to those skilled in the art, and are to be understood as forming a part of this invention insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, wherein:

We claim:

1. A locking latch for non-movably holding a first object with respect to a second object comprising:

a first object;

a second object movable with respect to said first object;

a latch assembly fixedly attached to said second object and operable between said first and second objects, said latch assembly including a sliding member, said sliding member being primarily associated with said first object, a depending member being secured to said sliding member and extending therefrom, a sleeve assembly being supported by said depending member, said sleeve assembly being capable of making contact with said first object, biasing means being capable of resiliently moving said sleeve assembly, means to operate said biasing means; said first object being channel shaped, the terminal portions of said channel shaped object having facing depending flanges; frictional engaging means mounted on said sleeve assembly, said frictional engaging means being positioned adjacent said depending flanges and being capable of making contact therewith, said frictional engaging means comprises strips of resilient, compressible, non-metallic material.

2. A locking latch for non-movably holding a first object with respect to a second object comprising:

a first object;

a second object movable with respect to said first object; and

a latch assembly fixedly attached to said second object and operable between said first and second objects, said latch assembly including a sliding member, said sliding member being primarily associated with said first object, a depending member being secured to said sliding member and extending therefrom, a sleeve assembly being supported by said depending member, said sleeve assembly being capable of mak ing contact with said first object, biasing means being capable of resiliently moving said sleeve assembly, means to operate said biasing means; and

said sleeve assembly including a resilient segment, said resilient segment being located between said first and second objects, a portion of said resilient segment being compressed in the latching position and being not compressed in the unlatched position.

3. A locking latch as defined in claim 2 wherein:

said sleeve assembly includes a resilient shock mount,

said shock mount being located adjacent said depending member, whereby undesired transverse movements are absorbed by said shock mount.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,155,043 9/ 1915 Chilley 24836'1 2,688,289 9/1954- Sterling 248-361 2,899,167 8/1959 Elsner 248361 3,333,873 8/1967 Triplett 287-56 X FOREIGN PATENTS 831,724 3/ 1960 Great Britain.

BERNARD A. GELAK, Primary Examiner.

US. 01. X.R. 

